Teething device with tethering means therefor



March 18, 1958 M. E. GARDEN TEETHING DEVICE WITH TETHERING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Aug. 9, 1955 Fig. 4

Mary E. Garden INVENTOR.

' 9 BY @zmaaefih Qua WW fiflm Unite TEETHING DEVICE WITH TETHERING BEANS Tl-ZEREEFQR The present invention relates to laythings and accessories, generally speaking, for infants, and has more particular reference to a tethering element with a wristencircling and attaching bracelet at one end and an optional accessory at the other end, for example, a teething ring, toy or the like.

The concept is not too much concerned with the accessory or appliance on the last-named end of the tethering element for this may be any one of many accessories or appliances such as for example, a figure toy of one type or another, a so-called teething ring of any shape or construction, a noise provoking baby rattle and so on. As will therefore be substantially evident from the disclosure so far novelty is predicated on the restraining means for the accessory so that the latter will stay in position on the users wrist and will not get lost.

Construed somewhat more specifically novelty has to do with the flexible tether, regardless of the accessory or implement on the outer end, and an adjustable loop on the inner anchoring end, and especially the means whereby it is thus made into an adjustable and adaptable bracelet.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a plan view, with a portion broken away and shown in section, of the improved tethering device, bracelet at one end and accessory, teething ring for example, on the other end.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in section and elevation on an enlarged scale showing the bracelet adjusting and retaining means.

Figure 4 is a perspective view emphasizing the components of said means.

Figure 5 is a plan view, similar to Figure 1, showing a modification, that is, wherein a figure toy is substituted for the cruciform teething ring seen in Figure l, and

Figure 6 is a section taken on the plane of the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

By way of introduction to the description of the details the obvious purpose of Figs. 1 and 5, respectively, is to show the phase of the over-all concept which has to do with the multipurpose phases of the finished devices illustrated in these two figures. As pointed out, the cruciform or any equivalent teething ring is denoted by the numeral 8. The equivalent accessory depicted in Fig. 5 is here a solid rubber member which is in representation of a squirrel and is conveniently denoted as a toy having incidental teething properties. This is con veniently denoted by the numeral 10. In practice, as alreadymentioned, any member of difierent heads, implements, accessories or the like that are suitable for infants playthings would be used. The invention, as

ates Patent ice already mentioned, has to do with the means which fastens the accessory flexibly on the wrist of the infant so that it will not get lost or be too easily displaced. This is preferably referred to generally as a tethering device. The tethering element or tether is of rubber or the like as is the means 3 and it} and denoted generally by the numeral 12. It is flexible and of suitable length and cross section. It preferably comprises an outer casing 14 and an inside reinforcing core or equivalent element 16. One end portion is looped or formed upon itself into a loop 18 which is treated as a bracelet or, alternatively, as a Wrist encircling element. The latter is preferably adjustable to fit wrists of different sizes. The free end of the element is denoted at 20 and it is suitably molded or otherwise anchored and fastened in a truncated conical split thimble-like member 22 which is here described as a slide and which embraces the cooperating portion 24 of the tether 12. Hence, the loop may be enlarged or made small for adjustment. The tapered construction lends itself to ready application and removal of the ferrule or collar 26. The latter simply slips down over the slide allowing the two parts telescope and so that the two form an adjusting device and clamp. The essence of the invention is, obviously, in flexible sanitary plastic, rubber or equivalent tethering means for infants toys and the like which are also to be manufactured for ascepticaly clean usage. It is felt that novelty is therefore predicated n an appropriate tether with the means 8, it) or the like at one end and the adjustable bracelet means at the other end with the intervening length sufficient for varying depending on requirements of manufacturers.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use by infants and small children, in combination, an elongate flexible tether, a plaything, a teething ring, for example, integral with the outer distal end of said tether, a bracelet forming loop integral with the inner end of the tether, and adjusting means said loop embodying a slide carried by the free end of the tether and slidingly embracing a cooperating portion of the tether, and a ferrule-like collar embracing said slide and frictionally maintaining the same in an adjusted position on the cooperating portion of the tether.

2. For use by an infant a plaything embodying a teething ring, an elongated flexible tether having one end connected to said teething ring, the other end of said tether being bent upon itself and fashioned in a loop, a slide slidably mounted on said tether, the free end of said tether being fixed to said slide and transforming the loop into a wrist encircling bracelet, and a collar also slidably mounted on said ferrule, said slide fitting telescopically into and being embraced by said collar.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 wherein said slide comprises a truncated conical split thimble which is expansible and contractible, said collar having a tapered bore into which the slide is telescopically but frictionally fitted and retained.

2,595,462 Johnson May 6, 1952 Ware Apr. 5, 1910 i 

